Coughing is often a symptom of an illness, but it can be stressful and even painful on its own. While coughing can be productive to help a person recover faster, coughing too much can leave the person feeling worse in the short term, making finding relief important. There are some things that can be done to help cough less or recover faster, including seeking medical attention when needed. 

Understand the Cause and How to Feel Better

The reason for the coughing can make a difference in feeling better faster, so it is important to consider it. Someone who is feeling sick may stop coughing once they feel better, so treating the underlying cause is a good idea. If the coughing is due to underlying medical conditions, it may be necessary to get medical attention to help the cough subside, especially for those who have rib soreness from coughing. 

When to See the Doctor for Coughing

It is not always necessary to see a doctor because of coughing. In most cases, it’ll subside when the person recovers from the underlying illness, and most of the time it won’t last more than a few days. However, if it lasts longer than a few days to a week, it is a good idea to see a doctor. It’s also a good idea to seek medical attention if it ends up severe enough to be painful or to make it harder to rest and recover. 

Home Remedies to Try

Home remedies can help relieve the cough, prevent other issues like a sore throat, and enable the person to feel better faster. Staying hydrated is important, as it helps to keep the throat clear to prevent the need to cough. Warm liquids like water or tea with honey can help soothe the throat and suppress the cough reflex, helping provide short-term relief. It can also be a good idea to use a humidifier or steam, try herbal aids like ginger or peppermint, and get plenty of rest to recover as quickly as possible. 

Medications and When to Try Them

If the cough is persistent, there are over-the-counter medications that can help. These can be used whenever anyone has a cough and isn’t feeling well, though it is important to follow the directions on the label to avoid taking too much medication while recovering. If this doesn’t help or the cough lasts longer than expected, it may be a good idea to seek medical attention for prescription medications and other help. 

Tips to Get to Sleep

It can be hard to get to sleep when coughing keeps the person away. Sleeping with the head elevated can help with this. Be sure to avoid potential irritants, especially before bedtime, and to stay hydrated to help relieve the cough and be able to sleep at night. It can be helpful to try other remedies to stop coughing at night and get plenty of rest. 

If you’ve been coughing and feel like it’s getting worse or you’re unable to rest, it may be a good idea to try some of the remedies mentioned here. If it seems to be getting worse or, at least, is not getting better, it may be a good idea to see a doctor for help. They may be able to provide more information on how to feel better or find out what needs to be done to help you recover faster.